Vision for International Sci-tech Cooperation
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), spearheaded by China, has evolved into one of the most fruitful international development projects in modern history. Since its inception, the BRI has made remarkable strides in promoting global economic, and sci-tech cooperation.
The discussions on the BRI during the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange reflected the transformative power of this initiative in advancing global collaboration.
One of the most significant achievements of the BRI is boosting economic connectivity, especially through projects like the China-Europe Railway Express. Reports from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency highlight the steady growth of cargo transport via the BRI's rail network, stabilizing global supply chains.
According to SWIFT data, by April 2025, the Chinese RMB's share in global transactions reached 3.5 percent, signaling China's successful push for currency internationalization.
Professor Cássius Guimaraes Chai of the Federal University of Maranhao, Brazil lauded the BRI's contributions, especially in sci-tech exchanges. Chai praised the BRI's role in bridging gaps in infrastructure and innovation. The expansion of Chinese digital technologies, like the Digital Silk Road, is creating new pathways for collaboration.
In regions like Latin America and Africa, the BRI's digital infrastructure projects have fostered significant technological development. The South Atlantic Inter Link, a Chinese-backed submarine cable, has revolutionized telecommunication between Cameroon and Brazil. In Africa, the BRI has helped establish vital communication networks and new railway lines, facilitating the growth of e-commerce, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence.
For instance, Huawei's commitment to building solar-powered research labs and electric vehicle assembly plants in Nigeria showcases the BRI's potential to promote sustainable technology in developing regions.
In the area of renewable energy, the potential for collaboration is immense. China's expertise in clean energy technologies could complement Brazil's push for sustainable power generation in its northeastern region. Similarly, the expansion of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program will boost Earth observation capabilities, aiding Brazil's efforts to monitor deforestation in the Amazon.
In the realm of sci-tech advancements, Russia and China have forged a strong partnership within the BRI framework. As noted by Russian expert Sergei Drukarenko, first vice-president of the Russian Union of Scientific and Engineering Associations, the BRI's impact on scientific cooperation between the two nations has been profound. Initiatives like joint research projects, sharing technological innovations, and educational exchanges have solidified their relationship.
Russia's involvement in BRI-related projects, such as the development of high-speed rail networks and space collaborations, signals the increasing importance of these partnerships.